Hemingway Bar opens in Cuban consulate in Washington, D.C. - with FREE drinks

Who would have ever thought of a bar - a tavern - in an embassy or consulate? Well, the Cuban Interests Section, as it's known, has just opened one in Washington. Cuba and the United States have not had formal diplomatic relations for 50 years, since Fidel Castro came to power, but each maintains an interests section in the other's capital. The Cuban facility is located on 16th Street N.W. in the District.

Cuba's new U.S. watering hole is called the Hemingway Bar, after the famous author Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961). Hemingway spent many years living in Havana, where he wrote two classics in American literature, For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and The Sea. The latter won him the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature.

Hemingway is beloved in Cuba, not only because he lived and worked there in his prime writing years, but because he was quite outspoken in support of the Castro regime when it came to power in 1959. His unbridled endorsement of the Cuban revolution made him unpopular with many in the United States, and all the more popular with Castro loyalists.

During the bar's opening ceremony, Jorge Bolaños, Cuba's diplomatic representative in Washington, delivered a few remarks. "I've asked myself many times in recent weeks why we're honoring this man in such a small way. Well, the reason is that there has been so little said and written in the United States about this great literary figure's long relationship with Cuba. His love for Cuba was reflected throughout his works."

The Hemingway Bar is not open to the public, and is an "invite only" establishment. It will be used primarily for diplomatic receptions, parties and special gatherings. All drinks are free, since U.S. law forbids purchasing most products which were made or originated in Cuba -like rum. The specialty of the house is of course the Mojito, but if you make it in, rattle the bartender and order a Cuba Libre.